Pavement Parking Ban Would Be Positive, Say MSPs

MSPs have welcomed a Bill that would ban parking on pavements as a ''positive step'' that would help disabled people and young families.

Holyrood's Local Government and Regeneration Committee has called for more detail on how the proposed Footway Parking and Double Parking Bill would work in practice.

The members' Bill introduced by Sandra White MSP would make it illegal for vehicles to obstruct pavements and dropped kerbs, and would also restrict double parking on public roads.

Committee convener Kevin Stewart MSP said: ''We were overwhelmed by the number of comments we received from members of the public on this issue.

''We heard from wheelchair users, people with visual impairments and young families with prams about the very real impact this can have on their day-to-day lives.

''The Bill before us is a positive step in addressing this issue. However, there is much more detail needed in order to address how this would work in practice.

''We believe more thought needs to be given to ensure the Bill would be enforced consistently across Scotland.

''We also believe further consideration needs to be given to how much the Bill would cost to implement and enforce.

''Clearly, pavement parking is not always obstructive and so we welcome the flexibility the Bill provides for local authorities to exempt some areas.''

The committee has been examining the legislation despite it relating to a policy area reserved to the UK Parliament as the relevant powers are due to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament in the Scotland Bill currently making its way through Westminster.

The Scottish Government has indicated it supports the Bill but wants no further action until the powers have been devolved.

The latest statistics from admissions body Ucas, published as pupils south of the border received exam results on Thursday, outline that 16.5% of 18-year-old applicants from England accepted to university were from the poorest areas.